Chief Justice Dipak Misra came under a cloud in January when the four next highest-ranking judges in the Supreme Court criticised his distribution of cases to judges and raised concerns about judicial appointments.

A group of judges and four court employees' organisations called on Monday for the Philippines' chief justice to step down and make a "sacrifice" to restore peace and order in the judiciary, a plea she strongly rejected.

The judges said they were making their disagreement with Chief Justice Dipak Misra public after private talks failed to address what they said were serious problems with the running of India's highest court.